2020 Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc

Based in Savennieres, Thibaud Boudignon is one of the new young stars of the Loire Valley. In addition to his prime plots in Savennieres, Thibaud also owns two small vineyards across the river on the south side of the Loire in the Anjou. Thibaud has worked with Philippe Charlopin in Gevrey Chambertin, Chateau Lafite Rothschild in Bordeaux (amongst others) and also in Australia before settling in the Loire, thereby building up a wealth of experience without having been born into a wine producing family. Working organically in the vineyards he harvests by hand making successive tries throughout each vineyard ending with yields that are much lower than the appellation rules allow. In the winery the grapes are whole bunch pressed with no settling and the juice is kept cold before starting a long slow fermentation. He vinifies with natural yeasts and ages the wines on lees with minimal SO2 in a mixture of barrels ranging from 300-600 litres.

Thibaud Boudignon's Anjou Blanc is a crystalline and pure expression of Chenin Blanc from 39 year-old vines planted at 8000 vines/ha on shallow soils of grey schist and rhyolite. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel with native yeasts for 2-3 weeks, followed by maturation in 300L and 750L barrels (30% new) for 15-18 months.

Other Reviews....
Unlike his Savennières, the fruit for Boudignon's 2020 Anjou Blanc is purchased. The result is a pure, clean wine with delectable purity. There are delicate flavors of just-ripe pineapple, citrus, nettles and a subtle hint of vanilla. It is fermented and aged in both 500-liter barrels and oval Stockinger 'cigars'. A line of acidity pulls this wine through to a refined conclusion. It can be approached now for its fine fruit but will go on. Drink 2022-2033.
91 points
Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous